State Universities in Illinois Could See Steady Funding Next Year

The presidents of Illinois' public universities received a bit of whiplash-inducing budget news this week.

After being told before Christmas to prepare for additional budget cuts from the state, Gov. Pat Quinn's office now says he wants to hold funding for higher education flat in the budget year that begins July 1.

Although that prediction could change once the General Assembly gets involved in budget talks, university officials say they are pleased with Quinn's latest flip-flop.

"I'm glad we may avoid that cut," said Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard.

The switch came within a two week span after university finance officials met with Quinn's budget office in a pre-Christmas powwow designed to outline the state's on-going financial woes.